Job Description

Job Details:

Job Reference:

HCC621416

Salary Range:

26,918 - 29,616 per annum

Work Location:

The Mead Childrens Home, Odiham

Hours per week:

37 (part time hours will be considered)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Closing Date:

13 July 2025

The Role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Children's Home Support Worker to join The Mead team at Hampshire County Council.

Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference?



Become a role model and make a difference to the lives of children in Hampshire!



Do you love working with children and young people and want to help make a significant difference in their lives? If so, we are looking for passionate and dedicated Children Support Workers to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact and be part of a supportive and dynamic environment where your contributions are valued.



We believe passionately in ensuring our youth support workers have the skills and knowledge to be able to parent and care for children in our care. Through working within our Model of Care - Pillars of Parenting, we focus on each child's individual strengths to support them to develop and achieve positive outcomes.



The key function of this role is to work directly with children and young people. It requires a child centred approach and ability to build warm, positive and strong relationships with our children. You will be a positive role model supporting children's goals and development.



You will work a shift pattern, whereby you will work shifts which include weekends and sleep in duties, flexible working requests can be considered. Additional enhancements are paid for evenings, weekends and sleep ins (terms and conditions apply).



For more information about residential support careers with Hampshire County Council, please visit our website.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the Right to Work in the UK before applying.

What you'll do:

The key function of the role is to work directly with children and young people aged 10 - 18. Requiring a child centred approach and ability to build warm, positive and strong relationships with our children. You will be a positive role model supporting children's goals and development.

We believe passionately in ensuring our Residential Care Workers have the skills and knowledge to be able to authoritatively parent our children within our service. Through working within our Model of Care - Pillars of Parenting, we focus on each child's individual strengths to support them to develop and achieve positive outcomes.

Hampshire use a Pillars of Parenting Model of Professional Child Care which is an applied psychological model of professional childcare drawing on attachment and trauma theory, CBT and positive psychology. Monthly consultations are carried out with an Applied Psychologist (Educational or Clinical) and a plan based on psychological evidence-based practice is agreed and implemented for specific young people.

There will be an opportunity to carry out specific key work sessions with individual young people that draw on therapeutic approaches agreed during monthly consultations. You will be given training in pillars of parenting and psychological theories underpinning their practice. This training is carried out by two consultant psychologists who specialise in this area, and you will gain subject relevant qualification.

It is essential that you have the ability to form warm and encouraging relationships with children to support their development and positive experiences.

What we're looking for:

Ability to form warm and encouraging relationships with children to support their development and positive experiences. Physically ability to participate in all aspects of Team Teach. Ability to demonstrate emotional literacy in relationship to self and others. Actively supporting and encouraging children to progress towards their full potential. An understanding of the needs of the children in residential care and have experience working with them to achieve independence. Knowledge of how to safeguard and support children in residential care who have experienced trauma, harm or abuse. A team player with strong collaborative skills. Sound IT skills and able to accurately record information. CF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care or equivalent. If you don't hold this qualification, you will be required to undertake the course within a specified regulatory timescale

Why join us?

Comprehensive induction programme with all necessary training. Great satisfaction from supporting young people. Commitment to personal development, including support for QCF training. Preparation for future senior-level opportunities.




Our benefits package includes:
On the job training and career progression opportunities. 24 - 27 days paid holiday, dependant on local authority service. Access to free and confidential Employee Support for you and your immediate family (including 24/7 counselling and advice) Opportunity to become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme with Local Government employer contribution included. A one-off payment of 500 upon completion of your Level 3 Diploma (if you do not already hold this) A one-off payment of 3,000 upon completing three years of continuous service.




If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

As this is a 24/7 service, you'll be required to work a shift pattern to respond to the demands of the service. Your working pattern will include working every other weekend and a variety of shifts including early, late, sleep-in shifts and bank holidays for which enhancements will be paid in line with the Hampshire County Council salary policy.

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.

Additional Information:

Children's Home Support Worker Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services,

references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Caron Chatfield, Manager on Caron.Chatfield@hants.gov.uk


Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.